Bowdun, a 1 GW offshore wind farm developed by Thistle Wind Partners (TWP), has initiated a GBP 1 billion (approximately EUR 1.1 billion) opportunity for Scottish oil and gas supply chain companies to transition into renewables.
Bowdun collaborates with DEME Offshore to pre-qualify firms as suppliers, with 60 companies currently participating in the Supply Chain Pathways Programme.
Participating companies can compete for work on Bowdun and other DEME Offshore projects in the UK and internationally. The programme aims to involve suppliers earlier, helping them prepare investment cases, enhance capabilities, and secure contracts, according to Bowdun.
Bowdun and its partners seek to align suppliers with project needs, including transport, installation, and other balance of plant components.
“Linking local firms with a major international contractor at an early stage will allow companies to bid with confidence and overcome traditional entry barriers,” said Gavin MacKay, Bowdun Supply Chain Manager.
“Many firms have the skills to deliver offshore wind projects but haven’t secured initial contracts. The Supply Chain Pathways Programme offers that initial step to become long-term players in ScotWind and beyond.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes stated: “Offshore wind offers a generational opportunity to grow Scotland’s economy and support thousands of high-quality jobs, which is why the Scottish Government has committed up to £500 million over five years to expand our supply chain.”
“Developers have committed to invest an average of £1.5bn per project across the 20 ScotWind projects, and we expect that commitment to be honored.”
TWP, a consortium of DEME, Qair, and Aspiravi, began its projects in January 2022 after securing seabed lease options from Crown Estate Scotland.
The 1 GW Bowdun is a fixed-bottom project planned off the coast of Aberdeen. Besides Bowdun, the company is developing Ayre, a 1 GW floating offshore wind farm off Orkney’s coast.
Recently, OWC and Empire Engineering were selected to provide owner’s engineering services for the two projects.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz